Please email medical@streetcathub.org for any medical questions or concerns regarding your cat (for spay/neuter services provided by Street Cat Hub).

Keep your cat in its carrier until it can move around normally and is fully aware

Cats recovering from anesthesia go through a period of excitement and disorientation. During this period, they can be a danger to themselves, to you, and to their surroundings if not confined to a trap/carrier. The cats’ coordination is hindered by anesthesia, so he/she won't be able to jump or climb normally until the anesthesia fully wears off. After the period of excitement and disorientation is over, we recommend cats recover overnight in a dimly lit, quiet room with minimal gentle handling.

Keep the cat in a warm, dry, draft-free sheltered area that you can check on frequently

Recovery room should be WARM but not hot, between 70 and 80 degrees. Cats cannot adequately control their body temperature until they have fully recovered from anesthesia. Cats that become hypothermic (dangerously low body temperature)are in danger of cardiac arrest. 

Provide small amounts of food and fresh water when your pet is fully aware

The anesthetic drugs and surgical procedure may make your pet nauseous. Feed a small meal, about ¼ to ½ of a normal meal, the night he/she goes home. Feed your regular brand of food and be certain fresh drinking water is always available once your cat is awake (do not allow water to spill on your cats’ bedding.)

Pain medication
Your cat was given an injection of pain medication following surgery. ​Do not give your animal any pain medication without first speaking with your veterinarian.

Keep the incision dry

No bathing for at least 14 days post-op; the incision must be kept dry.

Monitor your pet after surgery 

It is very important to monitor your pet after surgery. Although most cats will recover without incident, some will experience complications. If you notice anything unusual, ​including failure to stay awake, difficulty breathing, slow recovery (cats should be fully recovered by 8pm), excessive bleeding from the incision (below the tail for males, on the abdomen for females), decreased appetite, oozing from the incision, excessive or fluid-filled swelling around the incision, or another concerning abnormalities, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Prevent your pet from licking or scratching at the incision. This may require an Elizabethan collar. Normal surgery reactions:

• There may be a small,hard,non-painful lump under the incision where the inner stitches are healing. This is a normal reaction to the absorptive suture material

• Minor bleeding from the scrotum of male cats is expected for 1-2 days after surgery

Restrict activity for the next 7-10 days. Cats need restricted activity after surgery to allow their bodies to heal. It is important to keep pets indoors after surgery to prevent contamination of the incision and prevent too much activity. Excessive activity can result in serious surgical complications like opening of the incision and hemorrhage (bleeding). Cats may need to be confined to a small room to keep them from jumping, running, and climbing.

Please call your vet if problems arise after surgery

If you are concerned about a cats well-being, please seek veterinary attention first. Contact the closest emergency clinic and take the cat's Street Cat Hub's paperwork from the day of your surgery with you. Then, call Street Cat Hub at (505) 247-9357 to notify us that there has been a problem. It is important for the cat's health and our records/protocol that we learn of any problems. As a non-profit spay/neuter clinic, we provide spay/neuter and vaccination services only. Street Cat Hub cannot render nor assist financially with other veterinary services.

Emergencies:

If your pet develops any of the following, seek immediate veterinary care.

• The incision is completely open (gaping) and/or tissue is protruding.

• Pet has been waking up normally, and now is non-responsive (does not acknowledge your presence or respond to his or her name, etc.). When roused, your pet should open their eyes or lift their head in response to stimulus.

• If the body temperature is 98 degrees or below. (When taken with a rectal thermometer.)

• Anything more than a small amount of bleeding (more than a few drops) from the incision or vulva.

• Pale white or yellow gums. Check gum color by pressing your thumb against gum and releasing. The spot should initially look white, but turn pink as blood returns. Remaining white can indicate excessive bleeding somewhere in the animal.

• Excessive swelling of the face or excessive, continuous vomiting. Allergic reactions can occur.

• Difficulty breathing and/or blue color to the tongue or gums.